Portable support for a bed patient

ABSTRACT

A disposable bedpan, which is usable to receive waste material from either or both of the waste openings of a person while that person is in a supine position, has an open top which is long enough and wide enough to simultaneously underlie both of those waste-emitting openings while that person is in that supine position, has a flexible bottom with an opening therein, has a flexible specimen collector which depends downwardly from that opening, and has that open top displaced from and out of engagement with those waste openings while that person is in that supine position and that bedpan is in position to receive that waste material.

United States Patent [191 Mracek et al.

[4 1 Nov. 25, 1975 PORTABLE SUPPORT FOR A BED PATIENT [75] Inventors: Milo F. Mracek, Creve Coeur;

Ronald J. Bauer, Florrissant, both of Mo.

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 214,806, Jan. 3, 1972, Pat. No.

[52] U.S. Cl. 4/112; 4/110; 4/141; 4/142 [51] Int. Cl. A616 9/00 [58] Field of Search ..4/112,111,141,142,110, 4/138, 113; 5/90-92 3,501,781 3/1970 Ott 4/141 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 908,451 10/1962 United Kingdom 4/112 Primary ExaminerI-Ienry K. Artis Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Rogers, Ezell & Eilers [57] ABSTRACT A disposable bedpan, which is usable to receive waste material from either or both of the waste openings of a person while that person is in a supine position, has an open top which is long enough and wide enough to simultaneously underlie both of those waste-emitting openings while that person is in that supine position, has a flexible bottom with an opening therein, has a flexible specimen collector which depends downwardly from that opening, and has that open top displaced from and out of engagement with those waste openings while that person is in that supine position and that bedpan is in position to receive that waste material.

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 PORTABLE SUPPORT FOR A BED PATIENT This application is a division of our copending application Ser. No. 2l4,806 which was filed on Jan. 3, 1972 and which was granted in Mar. 5, 1974 as U.S. Pat. No. 3,795,284.

This invention relates to improvements in bedpans. More particularly, this invention relates to improvements in bedpans which are disposable.

A normally deflated, readily flexible, inflatable pad has a passage therethrough in register with the rectal area of a bed patient. That passage permits a bedpan to be placed beneath the rectal area of the bed patient whenever the inflatable pad is inflated to lift the bed patient above the level of the bed. Such an inflatable pad makes it possible for the waste products of the bed patient to be collected with an absolute minimum of discomfort for that bed patient. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a normally deflated, readily flexible, inflatable pad that has a bedpanreceiving passage therethrough in register with the rectal area of a bed patient.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from an examination of the drawing and accompanying description.

In the drawing and accompanying description a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described but it is to be understood that the drawing and accompanying description are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the invention and that the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inflated pad which can be used with the portable support shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,795,284,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of a disposable bedpan which is usable with the inflatable pad of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the bedpan of FIG. 2 in use with that inflatable pad.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring particularly to FIG. 1, the numeral 204 denotes an inflatable pad which is made from a readily flexible material that is essentially air-impervious and that is essentially insensitive to sterilization media and body fluids. That inflatable pad includes an upper surface, a lower surface and a multitude of drop threads which extend between and interconnect those upper and lower surfaces; and some of those drop threads are shown by FIG. 3. The inflatable pad 204 also includes sides and ends which make that inflatable pad air-tight. Handles 206 are provided on the sides and ends of the inflatable pad 204 to facilitate the lifting and handling of that inflatable pad. In fact, those handles make it possible to use that inflatable pad as a stretcher on which persons can be transported by hand. A passage 208 is provided through the inflatable pad 204; and that passage will be located in register with the rectal area of a bed patient resting on that inflatable pad. The passage 208 will be large enough to permit body wastes to pass freely through it into a bedpan or other receptacle located below it, but will be small enough to enable the adjacent portions of the inflatable pad to provide support for the bed patient.

The numeral 210 denotes a commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting at one end of the inflatable pad 204; and that fitting is hermetically sealed whenever it does not have a complementary commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting connected to it. Such a complementary commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting is provided at the free end of flexible hoses. The con' meeting of the complementary commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting, at the free end of either of those flexible hoses, to the commerciallyavailable, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting 210 will permit air to be introduced into or withdrawn from the inflatable pad 204.

Flexible straps 212 are secured to the inflatable pad 204, adjacent the sides of that inflatable pad; and the free ends of those straps have openings 213 therein which can telescope over the heads of headed pins on a supporting surface. Whenever the straps 212 have the openings 213 in the lower ends thereof telescoped over the heads of those headed pins, the inflatable pad 204 will be held against shifting relative to the supporting surface.

The numeral 214 denotes an inflatable spacer which underlies one end of the inflatable pad 204. That inflatable spacer has an upper surface, a bottom surface a multitude of drop threads which extend between and interconnect those surfaces, sides and ends. Some of the drop threads of that inflatable spacer are shown in FIG. 3. The inflatable spacer 214 is provided with a commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting 218; and that fitting is hermetically sealed whenever it does not have a complementary commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting connected to it. Such a complementary commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting is provided atthe free end of each of the flexible hoses. The connecting of the complementary commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting, at the free end of either of those flexible hoses, to the commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting 218 will permit air to be introduced into or withdrawn from the inflatable spacer 214. The numeral 216 denotes an inflatable spacer which underlies the other end of the inflatable pad 204. The inflatable spacer 216 has an upper surface, a lower surface, a multitude of drop threads which extend between and interconnect those surfaces, sides and ends. In addition, the inflatable spacer 216 has a commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting 220; and that fitting is hermetically sealed whenever it does not have a complementary commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting connected to it. Such a com plementary commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting is provided at the free end of each of the flexible hoses. The connecting of the complementary commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting, at the free end of either of those flexible hoses, to the commercially available, low pressure, quick-disconnect fitting 220 will permit air to be introduced into or withdrawn from the inflatable spacer 216.

The inflatable pad 204 and the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 could be made of different materials, and they could be made in different ways. For example, that inflatable pad and those inflatable spacers could be made of dacron, nylon, fiber glass and many other filaments, single or stranded; and that inflatable pad and those in- 3 flatable spacers could be made in the same way in which the Goodyear Aerospace Corporation makes the three-dimensional structural fabrics which it sells under the mark AIRMAT.

Whenever the inflatable pad 204 and the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 are deflated, they are very flexible and pliable,and they will occupy very little space. As a result, they can underlie a bed patient without causing that bed patient any discomfort. Whenever that inflatable pad and those inflatable spacers are fully inflated, they are quite firm, and they can provide full support for a bed patient. Whenever the inflatable pad 204 is just partially inflated, it will provide a gentle, cradlelike cushioning action for the bed patient.

The inflatable pad 204 can be dimensioned to have an inflated thickness within a range of 2 to 6 inches. Similarly, each of the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 can be dimensioned to have an inflated thickness within a range of 2 to 6 inches. As a result, inflating of the inflatable pad 204 and of the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 can gently but firmly raise a bed patient a distance of from 4 to 12 inches above the level of the mattress on a bed. As the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 are inflated, they will raise the inflated pad 204 upwardly relative to that mattress; and, depending upon the inflated thicknesses of those inflatable spacers, the central portion of that inflatable pad can be raised from 2 to 6 inches from that mattress.

If desired, one or the other of the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 could be left in deflated condition. Where that was done, the inflatable pad 204 would incline at a gentle angle relative to the mattress of the bed; and hence, a gentle inclination of the bed patients body, either with the head down or with the head up, could easily be attained. That inclination could be maintained as long as desired, and it could be attained and maintained without any discomfort to the bed patient. All

that need be done is to inflate the inflatable pad 204,.

and thereafter to inflate the desired inflatable spacer 214 or 216. As that inflatable spacer was inflated, the adjacent end of the inflatable pad '204 would raise upwardly; and that inflatable pad would be so stiff that it would gently but firmly raise all portions of the bed patients body to the desired inclination.

To use the inflatable pad of FIG. 3, the operator will release the latches on the casters 42 of that portable support, and will then move that portable support into position where it is alongside of, and parallel with, a bed on which an inflatable pad 204, with its inflatable spacers 214 and 216, underlies a bed patient. At such time, that inflatable pad and those inflatable spacers will be in their deflated conditions. Also, at such time, the slides 108 will be fully retracted within the channels 106 on the platform 102, and the sides of the carrier 112 will be fully retracted within the slides 108; and latches, not shown, will hold that carrier in that position. Consequently, the supporting surface 120 and the carrier 112 will be directly above, and in register with, the platform 102 and the chassis 40, as shown particularly by FIG. 9.

After the chassis 40 has been moved into position wherein it is alongside of, and parallel with, the bed, the operator will set the latches on the casters 42. Also, the operator will open will connect the commercially available, low pressure, quick disconnect fitting at the free end of a flexible hose to the commercially available, low pressure, quick disconnect fitting 210 of the inflatable pad 204. As air from a compressor passes into the inflatable pad 204, that inflatable pad will gently but firmly raise the bed patient. The perimetral portions of that inflatable pad will become inflated before the portions which are overlain by the bed patient are inflated; and those perimetral portions will act to gently cradle the bed patient and prevent that bed patient from rolling. Very quickly, the air within the inflatable pad 204 will cause that inflatable pad to lift the bed patient and to provide a gentle but firm support for all portions of his or her body. During the inflation of the inflatable pad 204, the operator does not have to touch the bed patient and hence the lifting of that bed patient can be accomplished without any discomfort to the bed patient. Thereafter, the commercially available, low pressure, quick disconnect fitting at the free end of the flexible hose is disconnected from the commercially available, low pressure, quick disconnect fitting of the inflatable pad 204 and is connected to the commercially available, low pressure, quick disconnect fitting 218 of the inflatable spacer 214, and the commercially available, low pressure, quick disconnect fitting on the free end of another flexible hose is connected to the commercially available, low pressure, quick disconnect fitting 220 of the inflatable spacer 216. At such time, the compressor will be re-energized until both of those inflatable spacers are fully inflated. The operator does not need to touch the bed patient as those inflatable spacers are inflated; and hence the bed patient can be raised from four to twelve inches above the level of the mattress without having anyone touch him. As the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 are inflated, they will develop a space between the mattress and the undersurface of the central portion of the inflatable pad 204.

If an operator wished to effect lifting of a bed patient to enable a bedpan to be set in position beneath the passage 208 in the inflatable pad 204, flexible hoses would be appropriately connected to the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 and to the inflatable pad 204; and the compressor would be energized to cause successive inflation of that inflatable pad and of those inflatable spacers. Once that inflatable pad and those inflatable spacers had been fully inflated, the bedpan could be set in position beneath the passage 208 which extends through the inflatable pad 204.

Because the inflatable pad 204 underlies all portions of the bed patients body, the weight of that bed patients body is distributed over that inflatable pad, and no part of the bed patients body experiences uncomfortable pressures. Consequently, the bed patient can be supported comfortably in elevated position above the bedpan for whatever length of time is necessary. This is in contrast to the usual situation wherein a large part of the weight of the bed patients body is concentrated on that portion of the body which directly engages the bedpan.

Because the weight of the bed patients body is wholly supported by the inflatable pad 204, no part of the weight of that bed patients body need be supported by the bedpan. As a result, that bedpan could be made of light-weight material, and it could be made so it was readily disposable. In fact, the bedpan could be made as a thin-walled receptacle, with an air-tight cover, which had no visual resemblance to the standard and usual bedpan. By using a disposable bedpan, the unpleasant task of cleaning that bedpan can be obviated.

It should be apparentfrom the foregoing that the inflatable pad 204 can be used to raise a bed patient upwardly into position to use a bedpan without anyone touching that bed patient and without requiring that bed patient to move any part of his or her body.

The inflatable pad 204 becomes so rigid, whenever it is fully inflated, that it can provide full support for the body of a bed patient even when only a portion of the center of that inflatable pad is underlain and raised upwardly by a supporting surface.

When the inflatable pad 204 is used to raise a bed patient, the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 will preferably be inflated simultaneously. Similarly, when that inflatable pad is used to lower a bed patient, the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 will preferably be deflated simultaneously. Simultaneous inflation or deflation of those inflatable spacers is easily attained by connecting one of the flexible hoses to one of those inflatable spacers and by connecting the other of those flexible hoses to the other of those inflatable spacers.

If desired, an internal passage could be provided between the inflatable pad 204 and the inflatable spacer 214; and, similarly, an internal passage could be provided between that inflatable pad and the inflatable spacer 216. Such internal passages would enable the inflatable pad 204 and the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 to become inflated or deflated substantially simultaneously. in all cases where the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 are effectively isolated from the inflatable pad 204, that inflatable pad will be inflated before either of those inflatable spacers is inflated, but that inflatable pad will be deflated after both of those inflatable spacers have been deflated.

Where the inflatable pad 204 is used to raise a bed patient so a bedpan can be moved laterally into position beneath the opening 208 of that inflatable pad, it is necessary to use a split sheet atop that inflatable pad or to roll the sheet out of register with the opening 208. In any instances where it would be undesirable to use a split sheet atop the inflatable pad 204 or would be undesirable to roll the sheet out of register with the opening 208, the sheet can be loosened sufficiently to permit it to be pressed downwardly through the opening 208, as shown particularly by FIG. 3. Specifically, a sheet 342 can have the central portion thereof loosened sufficiently to enable that central portion to be pressed downwardly through the opening 208 of the inflatable pad 204 and to be pressed into engagement with the mattress which underlies the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 of that inflatable pad.

Thereafter, a disposable bedpan 330 can be set in position within the upper part of the opening 208, as shown by FIG. 3. That disposable bedpan has a semirigid frame 332 which is equipped with a splash shield 334 at one end thereof. When that disposable bedpan is to be used, that splash shield will be moved upwardly into the solid-line position of FIG. 2 so it can perform its intended function. However, when the disposable bedpan 330 is to be stacked with similar disposable bedpans, during shipment and storage, that splash shield will be moved downwardly in the dotted-line po sition of FIG. 2. The disposable bedpan 330 has a flexible bottom 336 with an opening at the approximate center thereof; and a specimen collector 338 has the neck-like upper portion thereof connected to that opening in liquid-tight manner. The junction 340 between the neck of the specimen collector 338 and the flexible bottom 336 is made strong enough to prevent accidental separation of that specimen collector from that flexible bottom; but that junction is made weak enough so it can be torn by the application of a firm pull to the neck-like upper portion of that specimen collector. The specimen collector 338 is flexible; and that specimen collector and the flexible bottom 336 will readily fold when the disposable bedpan 330 is to be stacked with similar disposable bedpans.

In using the disposable bedpan 330, the central portion of the sheet 342 will be loosened sufficiently to enable that central portion to be passed downwardly into the opening 208 in the inflatable pad 204. Thereafter, the disposable bedpan 330 will have the specimen collector 338 and the flexible bottom 336 thereof moved downwardly into the space defined by the central portion of the sheet 342; and that specimen collector can be set in the position shown by FIG. 3.At such time, the semi-rigid frame 332 of that disposable bedpan will be caused to rest on those portions of the inflatable pad 204 which define the upper edge of the opening 208. The semi-rigid frame 332 is made so it will substantially fill the upper part of the opening 208 in the inflatable pad 204, and so it will receive full support from those portions of the inflatable pad 204 which define that opening.

Any waste matter from the bed patient will be collected and held by the flexible bottom 336 of the disposable bedpan 330. When the need for that disposable bedpan has ended, that disposable bedpan will be lifted upwardly out of the space within the opening 208; and, thereupon, that waste matter will pass downwardly into and be held by the specimen collector 338. The upper end of that specimen collector will then be suitably sealed as by a clip, a short length of twine or other wise; and a flrm pull on the neck-like upper portion of that specimen collector will cause the junction 340 to tear. Thereafter, that specimen collector can be sent to a laboratory for testing of the waste matter therein, or that specimen collector and its contents can be placed in a suitable waste-disposal mechanism. The rest of the disposable bedpan 330 will be disposed in a container for dirty used objects. The sheet 342 will then be tightened; so the portion thereof which was disposed within the opening 208 will lie in taut condition above, and adjacent to, that opening.

To use the disposable bedpan 330, the legs of the bed patient must be moved sufficiently to free the central portion of the sheet 342 and to permit the insertion of that bedpan into the upper portion of the opening 208. Subsequently, the legs of the user must again be moved to permit removal of that bedpan from the upper portion of the opening 208, and to permit smoothing out of the sheet 342. However, the amount of movement which must be imparted to the legs of the bed patient can be quite limited; ar d hence that movement need not impose any strain on the bed patient. Moreover, any strain which might be imposed on the bed patient would be smaller than the strain which would be in' volved in rolling the sheet out from under the bed patient.

By using the disposable bedpan 330, it is possible to free the personnel of a hospital or nursing home from the unpleasant job of cleaning bedpans. Moreover, by using a specimen collector 338 with a relatively small neck-like upper portion, it is possible to reduce the volume of unpleasant odors which otherwise would tend to permeate the air. In addition, by making the specimen collector 338 readily detachable from the flexible bottom 336 of the disposable bedpan 330, the present invention facilitates the collecting and holding of specimens of waste material.

In any instances where the inflated thickness of the inflatable pad 204 is great enough to permit the flexible bottom 336 to be fully opened, the inflatable spacers 214 and 216 need not be iliflated. However, in most instances, it will be desirable to inflate both of those inflatable spacers thereby providing enough room in the flexible bottom 336 to open fully, and thus be able to receive and hold all waste products which it receives from the bed patient.

Whereas the drawing and accompanying description have shown and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes can be made in the form of the invention without affecting the scope thereof.

What we claim is:

1. A disposable bedpan which is usable to receive waste material from either or both of the waste openings of a person while said person isin a supine position and which has an open top and which has a flexible bottom with an opening therein substantially smaller than said open top and which has a flexible specimen collector depending downwardly from said opening, said flexible bottom of said bedpan serving to receive said waste material and to guide said waste material toward said opening and hence toward said flexible specimen collector, said flexible specimen collector being adapted to receive said waste material from said flexible bottom via said opening and to hold said waste material, said open top of said bedpan being long enough and wide enough to simultaneously underlie both of said wasteemitting openings of said person while said person is in said supine position, said open top of said bedpan being displaced from and being out of engagement with said waste openings of said person while said person is in said supine position and said bedpan is in position to receive said waste material.

2. A disposable bedpan as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible specimen collector is formed integrally with said flexible bottom and wherein a readily severable line is provided between said flexible bottom of said disposable bedpan and said flexible specimen collector which facilitates ready separation of said flexible specimen collector from said flexible bottom of said disposable bedpan.

3. A disposable bedpan as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible specimen collector has a neck with a cross section that is just a small fraction of the cross section of said open top, and wherein said neck defines a rela tively small orifice and thereby minimizes the volume of odors from waste material within said flexible specimen collector which otherwise would permeate the air.

4. A disposable bedpan which is usable to receive waste material from either or both of the waste openings of a person while said person is in a supine position and which has a stiff frame that defines an open top and which has a flexible bottom depending from the lower edge of said stiff frame, said stiff frame being larger at the upper edge thereof than it is at the lower edge thereof, said stiff frame being supportable within an opening in a pad which is generally vertical and which has an enlarged upper end, said stiff frame being adapted for bearing against and receiving its support from said enlarged upper end ofsaid generally vertical opening and being substantially confined within said opening to substantially prevent engagement with the body of the person using said bedpan, whereby no part of said bedpan need engage any part of said body of said person, said open top of said bedpan being long enough and wide enough to simultaneously underlie both of said waste-emitting openings of said person while said person is in said supine position, said open top of said bedpan being displaced from and being out of engagement with said waste openings of said person while said person is in said supine position and said bedpan is in position to receive said waste material.

5. A disposable bedpan as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible specimen collector has an elongated flexible neck, and wherein said elongated flexible neck can be closed to confine waste material and any odors therefrom within said flexible specimen collector.

6. A disposable bedpan as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible specimen collector has an elongated flexible neck, wherein said elongated flexible neck can be closed to confine waste material and any odors therefrom within said flexible specimen collector, and wherein said flexible specimen collector is formed integrally with said flexible bottom and wherein a readily severable line is provided between said flexible bottom of said disposable bedpan and said flexible specimen collector which facilitates ready separation of said flexible specimen collector from said flexible bottom of said disposable bedpan.

7. A disposable bedpan as claimed in claim 4 wherein the outer surface of said stiff frame is complementary to said enlarged upper end of said generally vertical opening, and wherein said flexible bottom depends downwardly through said generally vertical opening.

8. A disposable bedpan which is usable to receive waste material from either or both of the waste openings of a person while said person is in a supine position and which has a stiff frame and which has a flexible bottom depending from said stiff frame, said flexible bottom being flexible to facilitate stacking of said bedpan with other similar bedpans, said open top of said bedpan being long enough and wide enough to simultaneously underlie both of said waste-emitting openings of said person while said person is in said supine position, said open top of said bedpan being displaced from and being out of engagement with said waste openings of said person while said person is in said supine position and said bedpan is in position to receive said waste material and a deflector which is secured to, and which is movable relative to, said stiff frame, said deflector normally being in a retracted position inwardly of said stiff frame to facilitate stacking of said bedpan with other similar bedpans, said deflector being movable to an extended position above said stiff frame when said bedpan is to be used, said deflector being deformed and thereby developing restorative forces therein as it is moved between its retracted and extended positions and vice versa, whereby said deflector tends to be stable in, and to resist movement out of, each of its retracted and extended positions. 

1. A disposable bedpan which is usable to receive waste material from either or both of the waste openings of a person while said person is in a supine position and which has an open top and which has a flexible bottom with an opening therein substantially smaller than said open top and which has a flexible specimen collector depending downwardly from said opening, said flexible bottom of said bedpan serving to receive said waste material and to guide said waste material toward said opening and hence toward said flexible specimen collector, said flexible specimen collector being adapted to receive said waste material from said flexible bottom via said opening and to hold said wAste material, said open top of said bedpan being long enough and wide enough to simultaneously underlie both of said waste-emitting openings of said person while said person is in said supine position, said open top of said bedpan being displaced from and being out of engagement with said waste openings of said person while said person is in said supine position and said bedpan is in position to receive said waste material.
 2. A disposable bedpan as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible specimen collector is formed integrally with said flexible bottom and wherein a readily severable line is provided between said flexible bottom of said disposable bedpan and said flexible specimen collector which facilitates ready separation of said flexible specimen collector from said flexible bottom of said disposable bedpan.
 3. A disposable bedpan as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible specimen collector has a neck with a cross section that is just a small fraction of the cross section of said open top, and wherein said neck defines a relatively small orifice and thereby minimizes the volume of odors from waste material within said flexible specimen collector which otherwise would permeate the air.
 4. A disposable bedpan which is usable to receive waste material from either or both of the waste openings of a person while said person is in a supine position and which has a stiff frame that defines an open top and which has a flexible bottom depending from the lower edge of said stiff frame, said stiff frame being larger at the upper edge thereof than it is at the lower edge thereof, said stiff frame being supportable within an opening in a pad which is generally vertical and which has an enlarged upper end, said stiff frame being adapted for bearing against and receiving its support from said enlarged upper end of said generally vertical opening and being substantially confined within said opening to substantially prevent engagement with the body of the person using said bedpan, whereby no part of said bedpan need engage any part of said body of said person, said open top of said bedpan being long enough and wide enough to simultaneously underlie both of said waste-emitting openings of said person while said person is in said supine position, said open top of said bedpan being displaced from and being out of engagement with said waste openings of said person while said person is in said supine position and said bedpan is in position to receive said waste material.
 5. A disposable bedpan as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible specimen collector has an elongated flexible neck, and wherein said elongated flexible neck can be closed to confine waste material and any odors therefrom within said flexible specimen collector.
 6. A disposable bedpan as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flexible specimen collector has an elongated flexible neck, wherein said elongated flexible neck can be closed to confine waste material and any odors therefrom within said flexible specimen collector, and wherein said flexible specimen collector is formed integrally with said flexible bottom and wherein a readily severable line is provided between said flexible bottom of said disposable bedpan and said flexible specimen collector which facilitates ready separation of said flexible specimen collector from said flexible bottom of said disposable bedpan.
 7. A disposable bedpan as claimed in claim 4 wherein the outer surface of said stiff frame is complementary to said enlarged upper end of said generally vertical opening, and wherein said flexible bottom depends downwardly through said generally vertical opening.
 8. A disposable bedpan which is usable to receive waste material from either or both of the waste openings of a person while said person is in a supine position and which has a stiff frame and which has a flexible bottom depending from said stiff frame, said flexible bottom being flexible to facilitate stacking of said bedpan with other similar bedpans, saiD open top of said bedpan being long enough and wide enough to simultaneously underlie both of said waste-emitting openings of said person while said person is in said supine position, said open top of said bedpan being displaced from and being out of engagement with said waste openings of said person while said person is in said supine position and said bedpan is in position to receive said waste material and a deflector which is secured to, and which is movable relative to, said stiff frame, said deflector normally being in a retracted position inwardly of said stiff frame to facilitate stacking of said bedpan with other similar bedpans, said deflector being movable to an extended position above said stiff frame when said bedpan is to be used, said deflector being deformed and thereby developing restorative forces therein as it is moved between its retracted and extended positions and vice versa, whereby said deflector tends to be stable in, and to resist movement out of, each of its retracted and extended positions. 